2013 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 1,330 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 95 involved a crash and 31 involved a fire. 68 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesNov 30, 2017
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.
Campaign 17V769000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchAug 2, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model 2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured December 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 146.
Campaign 16V574000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.
Campaign 13V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
271 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Oct 31, 2019
THERE IS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL MAKING DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING IT WHEN SITTING STILL. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL DEALER, HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECTIVE BUSHING USED IN STEERING ASSIST MOTOR BUT HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE STEERING BUSHING HAS DISINTEGRATED! THE SAME BUSHING WAS USED IN SEVERAL OTHER MODELS AS WELL. CHECK THE INTERNET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. I ONLY HAVE 76K MILES. I WAS TOLD BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY WOULD REPAIR THIS IF I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS 5YEARS/100K. WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS THEY CHOSE TO USE? WHY AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE PART. THERE ARE HUNDREDS WHO HAVE REPORTED ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY LACK OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO EVERYONE ON THE ROAD, NOT JUST HYUNDAI OWNERS. PLEASE HELP MAKE US SAFER. MAKE HYUNDAI RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE STEERING ISSUE.
Steering, Oct 30, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN EVER I TURN IT. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 WEEKS. IT IS GETTING LOUDER AND MORE CONSTANT, EVERY TIME I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES A NOISE. THE MECHANIC @ TIRE KINGDOM SAID IT IS THE BUSHING, AND THAT HE SEES ABOUT 8 OUT 10 ELANTRA'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN HIS GARAGE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF I AM TURNING ON STREET, BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK, OT DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS AS IT IS NOT NORMAL.
Steering, Oct 18, 2019
STEERING CLICKING AND POPPING. NOT REAL NOTICEABLE IN TURNS BUT WHEN GOING STRAIGHT CAR OFTEN DRIFTS. FEELS LIKE 1/4 TO HALF INCH SLACK IN STEERING WHEEL
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 13, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICK IN IT . THE EPS LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WENT TOO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID IT WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS COMMON PROBLEM IT HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE AT CITY SPEED
Steering, Oct 13, 2019
WHILE DRIVING STEERING MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE AND FEELS LOOSE. I HAD VEHICLE AT FIRESTONE FOR ANOTHER REPAIR AND WAS TOLD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEY SAID IT WAS THE COUPLER AND THERE'S NO RECALL ON THIS BUT THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SAY IT IS VERY COMMON IN THESE CARS, THE COUPLER WEARS DOWN AND YOU COULD LOSE STEERING.
Steering, Oct 12, 2019
I HEARD A SOUND WHEN I STARTED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, LEFT OR RIGHT DIRECTION. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS MODEL CAR HAS A RECALL ABOUT THIS ISSUE
Steering, Oct 7, 2019
COUPLER
Steering, Sep 28, 2019
WHENEVER I START MY CAR, I RECEIVE A MECHANICAL ERROR IN THE DISPLAY. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EITHER STATIONARY OR MOVING, AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 76 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Suspension, Sep 24, 2019
WHENEVER THE VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER SLIGHT BUMPS, OR INDENTATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE CAR UNSETTLES AND PUSHES RIGHT. WITH INCREASE IN TRAVEL SPEEDS, THE REAR END GET MORE UNSTABLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT BECOMES SO BAD THAT WHENEVER THERE IS ANY SLIGHT BUMPS OR SURFACE IMPERFECTION, THE REAR OF THE CAR HOPS RIGHT VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT OR STARTS TO FISHTAIL AND SOMETIMES BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE. SPECIALLY ON WET SURFACE. IT IS HARD TO GET THE CAR BACK IN CONTROL WHEN NOT CAREFUL AND MAY CAUSE A MAJOR AND FATAL ACCIDENT. WHICH CHECKING FOR THE ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT IT IS COMMON ISSUE AMONG ELANTRA OWNERS. IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE DRIVING, MY CAR FISHTAILED SO VIOLENTLY THAT TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME AND IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL. FEW TIMES, THE CAR FISHTAILED AND ENDED UP IN RIGHT SIDE LANE WITHOUT ME WANTING IT TO DO THAT. THESE ALL HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT IS LESS SEVERE ON CITY SPEEDS BUT STILL NOTICEABLY BAD.
Steering, Air bags, Sep 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE TIMING SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. HYUNDAI OF ANDERSON (1925 PEARMAN DAIRY RD, ANDERSON, SC 29625, (864) 642-0900) MENTIONED THAT THE SPRING WAS A COMMON ISSUE, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CHARGE A FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Sep 16, 2019
WHEN MOVING STEERING FEEL LIKE ALOT OF PLAY IN IT. WHEN TURNING LEFT TO RIGHT THERE IS A CLICK NOISE ALSO. FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG ON INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN . THIS IS HAPPENING WHEN DRIVING AND IF YOUR JUST AT A STAND STILL IN MOVE STEERING
Steering, Sep 10, 2019
WHILE STATIONARY LOUD POPPING NOISE HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER WAY. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY IF YOU HIT A BUMP IT MAKES A LOUD POPPING SOUND NO MATTER YOUR SPEED.
Steering, Sep 3, 2019
MY (AND MY SON'S) 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS BOTH HAVE BEGUN EXHIBITING THE FAILURE PROCESS THAT WILL INEVITABLY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE "ELECTRONIC ASSIST" POWER STEERING. OUR HYUNDAIS NOW HAVE A VAGUE DEAD-SPOT IN THE STEERING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED OFF CENTER AT ANY SPEED. YOU CAN FEEL IT THE MOST WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE "DEAD-SPOT ANGLE IS GETTING WIDER AND WIDER AS THE RUBBER SLIP-JOINT PART INEVITABLY DISINTEGRATES THIS RUBBER BUSHING IS A SHEAR DEVICE BETWEEN THE MECHANICAL STEERING SHAFT AND AN ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT POWERS THE HYUNDAI'S STEERING RATHER THAN TRADITIONAL HYDRAULIC PUMP POWER STEERING FOUND ON MOST CARS. MY NEIGHBOR'S HYUNDAI WENT FULLY THROUGH THE FAILURE PROCESS THAT RESULTED IN NO POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE FAILURE OF THIS $1.25 (RETAIL) PART IS SO COMMON IN MANY HYUNDAI MODELS LIKE THE ELANTRA, THAT THE PARTS DEPARTMENT KEEPS A BOX OF THEM CONSTANTLY ON HAND FOR THE INEVITABLE FAILURE OF THIS PART IN EVERY HYUNDAI MODEL THAT USES IT. IT'S A HUGE PROFIT PRODUCER FOR THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR RELUCTANCE TO REDESIGN THIS PART. HOWEVER, I CAN'T CURRENTLY AFFORD THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF LABOR CHARGE THAT HYUNDAI DEMANDS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED PART, SO I DON'T LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE SHE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO REACT TO THE LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AT HIGH SPEEDS. I DRIVE THE CAR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. HYUNDAI IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 2010 MODELS BUT ENDED THE RECALL WHEN THEY PROBABLY TOLD THE NHTSA THAT THEY CORRECTED THE PART. IN ACTUAL FACT, THEY DIDN'T FIX THE INHERENT DEFECT AND IF YOU DO A SEARCH ONLINE YOU WILL SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING ENDANGERED BY THIS DEFECT.
Steering, Sep 1, 2019
MY STEERING WHEEL HAS STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND STICKS QUITE OFTEN NOW. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BREAK OFF IF I TURN IT TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. SOMETIMES IT MAKES DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT. IT DOES THIS IN A STOPPED POSITION WHEN YOU START TURNING THE WHEEL TO TURN AND WHILE IN MOTION.
Steering, Aug 28, 2019
STEERING WHEEL RATTLES AND MAKES NOISES WHEN TURNING. FEELS LIKE THERE IS TO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING. WORRIED ABOUT HAVING ISSUES OF SAFETY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES. WHEN SWERVING TO AVOID ANIMAL FELT LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL.
Steering, Aug 13, 2019
STEERING COUPLER FAILURE AT 30,000 MILES. STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. CALLED DEALER, THEY STATED NEEDS REPAIRED ASAP, STEERING WHEEL COULD LOCK AND CAUSE ACCIDENT. FOUND THAT THIS WAS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE AND EXTENDED WARRANTIES (TXX7) WERE ISSUED ON SEVERAL MODELS. MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. COST TO REPAIR WAS $422.26.
Steering, Aug 11, 2019
WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR NOT DRIVING A LOT OF PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL.WHILE DRIVING SAME WAS READING FORUMS THAT IT COULD BE A RUBBER RING. IT ALSO MAKES A CLICKING NOISE.
Steering, Jul 17, 2019
MY VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL 'SHUDDERS' UPON TURNING, WHETHER STATIONARY OR MOVING, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. I BELIEVE THE EPS TO BE THE PROBLEM AND AM AFRAID THE STEERING WILL SEIZE UP WHILE I AM DRIVING, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD BOTH FOR MYSELF AND FOR OTHERS. THIS HAS OCCURRED EACH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE JULY 10, 2019, WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
Steering, Jul 11, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL"MY STEERING WHEEL COLUMN RATTLES AND SHAKES WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON TWO YEARS AFTER IT WAS BOUGHT. THE FASTER YOU GO THE WORST IT GETS. IT HAPPENS IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY.
Steering, Jul 9, 2019
CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE STEERING COUPLER...A $4.00 PART. THEN THE DEALER SAID THAT THE FIX IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT IT WOULD COST $410.00 TO CHANGE THIS $4.00 PART. THIS FIX IS IN FACT LISTED AS A RECALL ON THE SAME YEAR ELANTRA SEDAN AND THE SONATA MODELS. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHY IS THE REPAIR COVERED ON THOSE VEHICLES MENTIONED ABOVE BUT NOT ON THE ELANTRA GT??? IF IT IS A COVERED REPAIR ON AN ELANTRA SEDAN WHY WOULD IT NOT BE A COVERED REPAIR ON A ELANTRA GT SEDAN?
Steering, Jul 8, 2019
DRIVING , IN MOTION , ON A CITY STREET, OR HIGHWAY WITHIN A 5 DEGREE TURN, RIGHT OR LEFT FROM CENTER, STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICKING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. THIS NOISE DOES NOT SEEM TO AFFECT THE STEERING OF SAID VEHICLE BUT IS VERY ANNOYING AND LOUD WHICH MAKES A DISTRACTION WHILE IN MOTION.
Steering, Jun 15, 2019
2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, EVERY TIME I STEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING. IT MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHILE TURNING. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF THE VEHICLE BEING TURNED ON OR OFF AND IN ANY GEAR. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPT OF THE HYUNDAI DEALER, THEY IMMEDIENTLY KNEW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. HE SAID IT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY A STEERING CUPPLER AND/OR STEERING BUSHING. MY CAR IS A 2013 AND ONLY HAS 59K MILES. THIS IS VERY LITTLE. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE ARE MORE THAN 120 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS A LONG TIME AGO AS A STEERING PROBLEM IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND VERY DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Power train, Engine, May 24, 2019
TAKATA RECALL THE ENGINE SURGING, KNOCKING, RPM WAS GOING UP, AND DOWN, THEN WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO TAKE OFF FROM THE LIGHT LIKE A JET IN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO CAR WRECKS, IT WOULD GO BELOW 40MPH, WHILE RPM WOULD BE UP AT 5 WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THEN NOT GO FORWARD. THE CAR SHAKES SO BAD DUE TO THE SURGING OF THE TRANSMISSION
Steering, May 1, 2019
STEERING PROBLEM: WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL CATCHES NEAR THE CENTER POSITION, TAKING SOME ADDITIONAL FORCE TO MOVE IT. IT IS RELATIVELY EASY TO OVER COME, BUT IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS GETTING WORSE. MY HYUNDAI DEALER HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY INQUIRIES. THE POTENTIAL FOR A STEERING LOCKUP MAY EXIST, THUS THIS ALERT.
Steering, Apr 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL CLICKING AND RUBBING NOISE, WHICH WAS A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW RUBBER COUPLING FOR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN TWICE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 62,000. *TT *TR